Practising law in Taiwan as a foreign lawyer

Foreign legal affairs attorney (limited licence)

For: Foreign-licensed lawyers who want to practise the law of their home jurisdiction in Taiwan.

1. Apply to the Ministry of Justice for a practice permit as a foreign legal affairs attorney under the Attorney Regulation Act.
2. Join the bar association within six months of obtaining the licence.
3. Renew the permit with the Ministry. Permits to employ Taiwanese attorneys or to form partnerships with them are also handled by the Ministry.

The Attorney Regulation Act was rewritten in 2021, so article numbers in older sources may have changed.

Full licence as a Taiwanese attorney

For: Anyone who wants to practise Taiwanese law.

1. Pass the attorney qualification examinations run by the Examination Yuan, which are held once a year.
2. A non-citizen who passes needs approval from the Ministry of Justice before practising, on the same conditions as local applicants.